RPG Maker for Teens Paperback – May 31, 2011

We purchased this book for someone in our household who's expressed interest in making games. The book centers on making a role playing game using an engine called "RPG Maker VX," which is available for PCs. The book goes over a brief history of RPGs, from paper to video/pc games, and takes readers through the thought process of creating story, characters, world building, etc. Nothing too in-depth, but enough to get people interested in all of it. It then goes into building a game with the RPG maker software and some other free web-based software, which sadly, is no longer available, though you can find work-arounds.We still would recommend this book, though dated, as it goes over most of the work it takes to get a game made, and is a great introduction to game design using an accessible software. As it doesn't get into programming using Ruby, most of the toggles and switches used in RPG maker will translate to newer editions of the engine. While the broken links for some of the art sites used in the book are no longer up, there are others that will do the same if you take the time to search for them.Overall, highly recommended!

I have tried many different game programming books and they all have the same problem. They seem to be meant for action or shooter games. There is little, if any, mention of RPGs at all. This book fills a much-needed gap in game programming books. The author takes the reader through making a game with the RPG Maker software (available at a fairly cheap price) step-by-step, all the while creating and modifying a small game throughout the book. This is a great way to give the essentials of using the software in a hands-on environment. The first few chapters go over the essentials of planning a game. From designing the story and location, to designing quests for the character. Several references are made to classic RPGs (such as Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, etc.) to enforce the need to plan and various ways the game itself can be set up. From then on, the book gives a brief overview of the section or chapter (from map-making to character design to quests) followed by step-by-step instructions on using the software for that particular purpose. Some suggestions are also made to give the reader more ideas for their own game. Finally, one of the things I like the most about this book is the availability of free software for download. I am not an artist by any stretch of imagination. Luckily, when the author gets into the chapter about graphics, he also refers to two different free programs to create the character graphics and where to go to get them. Although the links provided may be outdated after a while, for the moment they still work. Although many game makers may have their own ideas for the best software to use for graphics, having options really helps.

It tells you a bit of the RPG history.It helps define the points of what, makes a RPG game.Tips at some of the Constant points and Highlights of a RPG.Then Defines and Explains, the nature of Game Design(not programming but the Process of Designing).Once you read, That basic... You then Delve into the Acutal Installation and Usage of the "RPG Maker" Program.I must Admit, It's Pretty good, even Detailing the Scripting part of the Program on later Chapters.But, as all books. It doesn't matter if youd don't know how to program. What matters is that you keep trying to understand, Practice and Explore new techniques.Overall it does a good job, This Writer seems to have done his Homework, Unlike some of the Publishers Writers. Which are Sometimes Full of BS.I would Recommend, This book and the Program. Hope that helps you out. It's always good to start out like this then Delve into the Scripting Parts of a Program.

RPG Maker for Teens is a great intro into the world of RPG Maker. Before even getting into the developmental side of RPG Maker, the author first spends a good amount of time going over the design process. He goes into the definition of an RPG, character and world design, and even touches on ethics. For me, this first section was more helpful than the rest of the book as I have been working with RPG Maker for quite some time. Still, for a beginner learning to use the program, RPG Maker for Teens provides a stable platform for beginners upon which to begin building great games.

purchased rpg maker for my grandson age 11 he read it fine but when we tried to download the software our computer anti virus software Norton claimed it was compromised and had a virus and would not let us download the software even tried to buy it after we paid for it it still would not download ended up contacting my c/c company and quit trying to download the software so we will try another software that is downloadable, contacted rpg maker and they said was our problem and Norton anti virus!.I would not recommend the software the book was great.

Bought this for my 12 year-old daughter who wanted to make her own RPG 2 Christmases ago. She went from not knowing ANYTHING about making a game, to a couple games by summer. She is still using this book and has become a pro at RPG Maker. Great book for the youngster wanting to make an RPG.

I purchased this along wtih softward and another book for my son for Christmas. So far, he's been really into the books and said they it is super easy to follow. He is making plans on what his first game design is going to be.

Bought it thinking it was for VX Ace. Still relevant however. Use this and the two books by darren Perez and imagination you can make a decent RPG in a Weekend

Useful information easy to read

Este libro permite crear una mente de creador de juegos Rol. Es un libro básico para no perderse en este mundo de los juegos. Las personas a las que he indicado la lectura del libro junto a una versión de RPG Maker, han pasado de estar decepcionadas a iniciar la CREACIÓN de juegos.

Ayant un scenario pret depuis pas loin de 3000 ans, je cherchais un livre "tutorial" pour m'accompagner et je pense l'avoir trouver.J'avais deja touver qq tuto sur le net, mais rien d'aussi complet. Il y a meme l'aide pour utiliser photoshop avec RPG Maker. Et quand on est de mon niveau (tres tres tres tres bas (j'ai oublie un "tres" je pense)) ca va m'etre tres utile.Par contre, pour nous les francais qui apprenons tous tres bien l'anglais, sachez qu'il faut un bon niveau pour le comprendre (je reviens de 8 ans a Londres et il me faut qd meme un dico pour certains mots techniques car c'est un livre technique).Dans sa preface, l'auteur dit qu'il faut des connaissance en informatique. JE dirais surtout qu'il faut des connaissances de base de RPG Maker le logiciel. Ces connaissances, faites les vous grace a des tuto sur le net (malheureusement en Anglais une fois de plus dans leur grand majoritee = pas trouver un seul en Francais).319 pages de conseils + index + un dictionnaire pour expliquer certains mots. Bref, tout ce qu'il faut pour creer son jeu. Et le livre et peu cher contrairement au seul livre francais.Bon courage,B

While the book did cover some subjects that I already understood, it is a book for teens.That said, it has a lot of information, and made learning the VXAce software much more enjoyable.